admirer

admirer — noun

1. a person who likes and respects someone else very much for what they do or how t

1.nounB2
Definition

a person who likes and respects someone else very much for what they do or how they look, sometimes feeling romantically or sexually drawn to them.

Example

The young pianist has many admirers among classical music fans in Taipei.

pattern: admirers + among + group

Ines found a bunch of red roses on her desk from a secret admirer.

collocation: secret admirer

Common collocations
  • secret admirer
  • longtime admirer
  • great admirer
  • ardent admirer
  • an admirer of
Synonyms
  • fan

    more informal; often used for celebrities, sports teams, or artists

  • follower

    stresses loyalty or support, not personal feelings

  • suitor

    old-fashioned; specifically a man hoping to marry a particular woman

  • devotee

    stronger and more enthusiastic than 'admirer', often about a hobby or belief

Antonyms
  • critic

    someone who openly disapproves rather than respects

  • detractor

    formal; a person who tries to make someone or something seem less good

Grammar Patterns

a + admirer + of + noun

secret admirer

Usage Note

Often used with 'of + [person/thing]' to name what the admirer values. The phrase 'secret admirer' is a fixed expression for someone who has romantic feelings but stays anonymous, often appearing on Valentine's Day cards.

Common Mistakes

I am admirer for her music.
I am an admirer of her music.
needs the article 'an' and the preposition 'of', not 'for'.
He has many admires.
He has many admirers.
'admire' is the verb; the person who does it is an 'admirer'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe people drawn to someone or something, but they differ in tone and focus. 'Admirer' suggests respect for a person's qualities, talent, or appearance, and can carry a romantic flavour, as in 'a secret admirer'. 'Fan' is more casual and crowd-like, used mostly for celebrities, sports teams, or artists, with little personal connection implied. 'Follower' emphasises loyalty or alignment with a leader, cause, or social media account, rather than feelings about the person. 'Devotee' is the most intense, suggesting deep, almost religious enthusiasm for a practice, belief, or art form. Compare: 'She is an admirer of his poetry' (respect), 'She is a fan of the band' (enthusiasm), 'She is a devotee of yoga' (commitment).

admirer ↗fan ↗follower ↗devotee

Common collocations

Nouns

  • secret admirer
  • longtime admirer
  • ardent admirer
  • great admirer

Phrases

  • count oneself as an admirer
  • have many admirers
  • from a secret admirer

Prepositions

  • admirer of

Etymology

LatinMiddle FrenchEnglish

Formed in the early 1600s by adding the agent suffix '-er' to the verb 'admire', which English borrowed from Middle French 'admirer'. The French verb came from Latin 'admirari', meaning to wonder at, built from 'ad-' (toward) plus 'mirari' (to wonder). So an 'admirer' is literally one who looks at someone with wonder.